Federal Legislation. As religious leaders continue to press Congress for action, immigration reform still moves slowly. We continue to ask the leadership of the House of Representatives to, at least, allow the members of the House to debate issues that affect millions of people in the United States.

Justice and Peace Ministry. On Saturday, September 14, the Archdiocesan Justice and Peace Ministry presented “Immigration Reform: The Call to Participation” to over 50 parish leaders. A series of speakers offered an authentically Catholic approach to immigration reform based on Scripture and the teachings of the Church. The Justice and Peace Ministry is willing to give a compact version of the program in deaneries or parishes with sufficient interest.

House of Representatives. The House of Representatives remains in adjournment for its August recess until mid-September. Across the country, House members are listening to many voices on all sides of the immigration reform issue; hence, it is important that our message based on Catholic teaching inform the debate.

Under an informal rule of the House, the Speaker of the House has indicated that he will not allow debate on bills that are not supported by a majority of Republican members even a majority of the full House membership supported the legislation. Along with many other religious, civic and business leadership organizations, we are particularly focused on asking Republican Congress members to allow a House reform bill or bills come to the floor for debate and vote so that some progress can be made.

Justice and Peace Ministry. The Archdiocesan Justice and Peace Ministry will offer a program on “Immigration Reform: The Call to Participation” at St. Andrew’s Church on September 14 to present an authentically Catholic approach to immigration reform. In addition, a video and handouts from the Task Force’s June 19 presentation are still available on the Georgia Catholic Conference website: https://georgiacc.org/

The Georgia General Assembly’s 2011 legislative session will conclude on April 14 after meeting on April 11, 12 and 14. The week of April 4-8 had little public activity since the General Assembly was in recess and many legislators were out of town for spring break. Discussions continue behind the scenes in issues related to the Church in Georgia, our ministries and our people.

The combined language of House Bill 87 and Senate Bill 40, as it now reads, will adversely affect Catholic parish ministries and will also have a significant impact in areas of the state that depend on agriculture. The bills retain language that criminalize “harboring” undocumented immigrants, defined as ‘any conduct that tends to substantially help an illegal alien to remain in the United States.” Sponsors have promised language that would protect charitable organizations but, to date, the only protection is afforded to those involved with children. The bill also gives little latitude to farmers who hire undocumented persons even when there are no other available workers.

Taxation: After intermittent discussion of structural tax reform, HB 387 was put on a fast track for passage until fairness questions were raised. A new version of the bill is expected but we have not had the opportunity to evaluate its effect.

Budget: The State budget effectively sets Georgia’s priorities. The proposed 2012 budget will eliminate State funding for sheltering victims of domestic violence.

House Bill 200 (Rep. Edward Lindsey, R-Atlanta), which would increase penalties for human trafficking and provide greater protection for victims, passed the House of Representatives and moves to the Senate. We continue to follow and support the bill.

Abortion / Pro-Life: We continue to advocate for pro-life legislation but internal disagreements and confusion among Senate and House leadership make it likely that the 2011 session will be the fourth consecutive legislative session without prolife legislation.

Adoption: SB 278 (Sen. Shafer, R-Duluth) proposes to require that home studies be conducted prior to approval of adoptions through private attorneys. Currently, all adoption agencies, including Catholic Charities, conduct such studies prior to adoptions. The bill is vigorously opposed by private adoption interests and it currently incorporates amendments which will not allow us to support it unless changes are made.